Get To Know U.K. Pop Sensation Emeli Sandé

Adele and Alicia Keys are just two famous fans of Emeli Sandé's soul-pop blend — now her new album, Next To Me, is generating international buzz. Seventeen chats with Emeli about her music, going to medical school (yes, seriously!), and touring with Coldplay.

Seventeen: Congratulations on your new album, Next To Me. Is there a song you think people will relate to the most?

Emeli Sandé: There's a song called "Hope" which I recorded with Alicia Keys. I hope it inspires girls to make changes in the world around them.

17: Has Alicia Keys been one of your mentors?

ES: Yeah, definitely! I met Alicia at the Hall of London at the beginning of last year. Since then, we've had a few writing sessions together in New York. We've had an incredible time and I've learned so much from working with her.

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17: Who are some of the other people you have worked with?

ES: I've written for Leona Lewis and Susan Boyle. I went on a tour with Coldplay at the end of last year, which was incredible because I'm a big fan of the band and think Chris Martin is just fantastic. It's been amazing having support from people who have inspired me for such a long time.

17: When did you start playing piano?

ES: I started when I was about 10. I played the clarinet first, but then I asked my parents if I could play an instrument where I could sing at the same time. I started playing classical piano, and then jazz. I just loved it. The piano is my favorite instrument.

17: You have a very interesting cultural background. Your dad is from Zambia in South Africa, your mom is British, and you grew up in Scotland. Has that influenced your music?

ES: Absolutely. It really made me realize that you should never put barriers on people based on where they're from or on the color of their skin. I grew up with a very international mindset.

17: What type of music did your parents play when you were growing up?

ES: My dad is the one who introduced me to the best singers, like Mariah Carey and Anita Baker. He introduced me to Nina Sonoma when I was nine or 10. She just blew my mind. I thought she was incredible and she was the first person who made me want to be an artist and want to play an instrument.

17: I heard a rumor that you actually studied medicine in college. Is that true?

ES: Yes, it is true! I studied medicine for four and a half years and then spent a year specializing in neuroscience. My dad is a big advocate of education and told me that he would support me getting involved with music, but I had to have a plan B. I also always loved school and thought that if I didn't become a singer, being a doctor felt like a pretty good job. But, then, a song I wrote went to the top 10 in the UK, so I came to a big crossroads in my life and had to choose one.

17: How did you decide to give music your all?

ES: I got to a point where I was trying to balance both things at the same time and I really missed being creative. I was giving 50 percent to medicine and 50 percent to music and I wasn't being the best I could be in either of them.

17: Do you have a favorite song on the album?

ES: It changes week to week, but at the moment I really like "Climb" because it reminds me of my whole journey and how if you really want something, you have to put yourself out there.

17: How would you like people to listen to your music?

ES: I'd listen to it at night when there are no distractions. That way, you can just sit down and take it all in.